How do Korean temple visits differ from Vietnamese traditions?

Differing from their Vietnamese counterparts, Koreans abstain from temple visits during Tet. 

Similar to Vietnamese customs, Koreans also value the traditional New Year as a time for family gatherings. Unlike Vietnamese Tet, Koreans don't follow temple rituals. Korea lacks the customs of welcoming the lunar new year, visiting homes, and the symbolic plants like peach and kumquat. Family reunions take precedence during Korean Tet, making it quieter and less festive than the Vietnamese counterpart.

Ceremonial Bowing and Lucky Money Tradition in Korea

In the brief 3-day break, almost everyone rushes back to their hometown. The weeks leading up to Tet witness a surge in the online sale of train tickets, with over a million tickets sold in just 4 days. Those unable to secure train tickets opt for high-speed buses or private vehicles, resulting in over 2 million people leaving Seoul during Tet. Hence, Korean Tet is often dubbed the 'nationwide mass migration.'

During Tet, relatives gather for Sebae (bowing ceremony), where younger family members bow to their elders and receive lucky money. Consequently, Tet becomes one of the most anticipated celebrations for children. In Korea, unlike Vietnam, children must perform the Sebae ceremony when receiving lucky money. Additionally, during Tet, family members engage in traditional games such as Yut nori (a table game using wooden sticks) and Hwatu nori (card game). Tet is a time for Korean families to bond together, making it lonely for those without families who spend the 3-day Tet break alone.

Vietnamese Tet: The Feast of Blessings

Tet, the Lunar New Year in Vietnam, is richer in well-wishes compared to Korea. While Koreans may simply say, 'Happy New Year,' Vietnamese greetings extend to various aspects of prosperity and success. They craft creative wishes like, 'May the new year's wealth flow like the Da River, with expenditures as small as a drip of drip coffee.' The Da River, originating from Yunnan, China, flows into Vietnam's Red River. This wish is a unique Vietnamese touch (Actually, it's a recent metaphor since the construction of Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Plant. BT).

The hopeful wishes of the Vietnamese people are also reflected in special words. If a word sounds similar to 'phuc' (meaning happiness), it is favored and displayed on the five-fruit tray. For example, the pomelo symbolizes luck as it can be associated with phrases like 'abundant and happy.' In Vietnam, the carp symbolizes luck. Besides the legend of the carp transforming into a dragon, the word 'ca' in Chinese sounds like 'ngu,' and the pronunciation of 'ng' and 'd' is similar. 'Ca' sounds close to 'du,' meaning surplus.

Vietnamese people are not fond of cats, especially avoiding unfamiliar cats entering their homes. The word 'meo' (cat) sounds similar to 'neo' (poor), so they believe a cat brings misfortune and poverty. Observing stray cats on the street and offering them food, as practiced in Korea, might be considered inappropriate (This is the author's opinion, not necessarily that all Vietnamese dislike cats, and it's not implying a direct connection between the two similar sounds, despite the Vietnamese saying: 'Cats bring difficulty, dogs bring wealth.' BT).

The number 6 in Chinese is 'luc,' sounding similar to 'loc,' associated with wealth, making it favorable among the Vietnamese. Another favored number is 8, as it sounds like 'phat' in 'phat trien' (development). Hence, people often use money to obtain phone numbers or vehicle plates with the number 8. Especially, a phone number like 090xxx7888, where the last three digits sound like 'phat phat phat,' is believed to bring abundant fortune.

On the contrary, Koreans dislike the number 4. In Korean, the number 4 sounds like 'sa,' similar to the pronunciation of the word 'tu' (death). Therefore, in older buildings, the 4th floor in elevators is labeled as F (forth) instead of 4.

South Koreans Surprised When Encountering Men at Temples

Vietnamese people have a tradition of making pilgrimages to seek blessings as Tet approaches. They believe that the prosperity of the coming year depends on the first day of the new year, making Tet in Vietnam lively and crowded with pilgrimage groups. To meet the demand, Vietnam has introduced pilgrimage travel programs during Tet. Many groups of friends, relatives, and colleagues rent private cars to visit famous temples in Vietnam. People believe that the more temples they visit, the more blessings they will receive, so they make an effort to visit as many temples as possible. Vietnamese people have a saying: 'Going to the temple throughout the year is not as good as the 15th day of the first lunar month,' which is the month when Vietnamese people often make pilgrimages to seek blessings.

In addition, there are pilgrimage boat tours such as the West Lake cruise visiting 5-6 lakeside temples. Traveling by road can be complicated and time-consuming, but if you go by boat, there is no need to worry about traffic issues, and the route is short, providing a romantic and dreamy feeling. However, to book these tours, you must register a year in advance.

Unlike the Vietnamese, South Koreans do not go to temples during Tet. Temples and shrines in Vietnam are often built in residential areas, so people can go to temples regularly. In Korea, temples are located in solemn and quiet positions deep in the mountains. South Koreans do not go to many temples; they only go to one temple to meditate and then return. South Koreans value 'quality' over 'quantity'.

Vietnamese believe that the more temples they visit, the more blessings they will receive, while South Koreans believe that sitting in meditation with a pure heart will fulfill their wishes.

Furthermore, encountering many Vietnamese men going to temples amazes South Koreans. In Korea, only women, especially middle-aged women, usually visit temples. But in Vietnam, approximately 40% of temple-goers are men, with a significant number in their 20s and 30s. This is an unusual scene in Korea, where individuals in their 20s rarely visit temples, whether male or female.

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Source: Travel Handbook by Mytour – According to Vietnam Travel